Rating: Summary: Solid Start for the New Series Review: I was not disapointed when I read this book, and saw a Star Wars novel worth reading after previous flops in the past. It's dark plot was a change of pace from the previous books where in the end you knew everyone would be happy and safe and the new enemy makes the Empire seem like kittens. I felt the characterization was excellent (salvaging Luke Skywalker's status of masterhood and developing the Solo children). A great start, kudos to Salvatore.
Rating: Summary: It was very good... but not great. Review: I almost want to split this up into two parts: the positive and the negative, because there is much of both in this novel. I will respectfully start with the positive. I want to commend Mr. Salvatore on the story. I think that this book was an interesting, unusual twist for the SW Universe and the story was compelling. I am not a particular fan of the whole space-opera, weapons blazing, X-wing shooting scene, but I have to admit, those parts were gripping and I found myself not being able to stand the anxiety and reading ahead. The new enemy was one of the best parts of the novel, because the readers really didn't know what to expect of this menace, didn't know how it was going to be fought or anything else about it. And the new characters were well-developed, believable (as much as anything in Star Wars can be) and unpredictable. Another thing I enjoyed was the prominent featuring of the Solo kids. I've seen this disputed, but my opinion is: Salvatore handled them well, better than the main quartet (I am including Mara). They are emerging in this novel as true, permanent characters of The Universe. To summarize, I enjoyed the story arc, it kept me reading at lightspeed, gasping and guessing 'till the end. But. There were parts on which I gagged. Basically, this book, like many-many others before it are definite, indesputable proof that NO ONE writes like His Majesty Zahn. Yes, it all comes down to the writing, the basic sentence structure and choice of words. Call me crazy, but I think the writing of the book is its flow, it's how the book reads, it's the master tool of manipulation. And the writing in Vector Prime was very mediocre. It reads like fan-fiction. It's choppy and repetitive; at times I wanted to just sit down and revise it. And the biggest cringe came from the handling of the Great Four. I often feel like Luke, Leia, Han and Mara are real people and I KNOW them, and this book has some examples of things they WOULDN'T do and words they WOULDN'T say. I agree with people who said that Salvatore is not an expert on SW. Those characters that he created were great (I include the Solo kids, because only in this novel do we see them as "adults"; therefore, Salvatore in a way created them), but the regulars were not in the right mode, unfortunately. In conclusion, I would recommend this book to anyone who keeps pace with Star Wars, and I feel that fans will enjoy it. But if you're a newbie, you might be dissapointed.Final note: I am an artist, and this book wins the prize for Best Design. FINALLY Luke stopped looking 18. Now lets see the rest of the characters!
Rating: Summary: Good start for the new series Review: I liked the plot and everything, but my main complaint was the lack of description and interaction between Luke and Mara. Hopefully there will be more in the next books...
Rating: Summary: good story too many libertys with charectors Review: I loved the story line except for a few libertys the author took with the charactors that were uncalled for. I loved the new addition of the Solo children as main charectors and the plot was good although a little reminecent of "Truce at Balkura". However the author while he might be an acclamed fantsy writer has obviously never writen sci-fi before. Also a very important book in the ongoing series and a MUST READ for any and all fans.
Rating: Summary: Disappointing read Review: To me the only thing that saved this book was the major event that should have happened long ago but didn't, won't go into details for those who haven't read it yet. The characters were two dimensional lacking personality and the Solo twins played to large of a role for me to stomach. I'm a major fan of the X-wing series so the lack of Wedge cost this book a two star rating and the thought of Jaina replacing him as the primary X-wing pilot in the SW series is a frightening one. The book even goes as far to potray Han and Chewie as a pair of bumbling idiots in a cockpit. That was a major insult to their characters and to us the readers that have known them since they first found their way to the screen. Basically this book has limited value, you get to know the new villians and you get the long delayed event that is one of the books few bright points. Other than that it was a hugh disappointment.
Rating: Summary: Lack of detail forces a good storyline bad Review: The Star Wars universe has always been packed with detail that compels the reader to search for the secondary and tertiary storylines. Unfortunately, this novel was lacking of details. The characters were written very poorly and the author took liberties with them that a rookie Star Wars author shouldn't have. It is unfortunate that we did not find out much detail on the Yuzzahn Vong, except that they are bad and wanted to take over the galaxy. The main characters in the story showed no emotion other than anger (which leads to the dark side). Star Wars has always been an adults story dressed up in a way that even a child could find it enjoyable, this book was an attempt to change that. It was a very disappointing book, and I hope they can make a negative into a positive with whatever book comes out next. More details and more emotion would have made the difference.
Rating: Summary: Well Done. Review: With all due respect to Zahn, I found Salvatore's take on the Star Wars Universe fresh and compelling. His vision of the new enemy was inspired, their weapons were fascinating, and his take on established characters was a good interpretation, overall, as well. Although there were times, especially at the beginning, where I found the dialogue a bit stilted (especially among spouses and other family) he seemed to loosen up, or maybe I just warmed up to his style. He paints his picture onto a bleaker canvas, but even when things got particularly dark, or lagged, I never lost the urge to turn to the next page. My interest in the series had begun to wane, so I'm glad for the new direction, despite details I might have hoped went differently. Enjoy the adventure, and while you're at it, enjoy the artwork and physical layout of the book as well. The picture of Luke Skywalker is by far the best I've seen, both in detail and realism, given the timeline and all. I'm looking forward to more!
Rating: Summary: "Great read! You'll love it!" Review: " This book was very well written. Let me just say it's not for everyone. There are some pretty shocking events that take place. All in all this book was very entertaining. I'm only 16 and I have read every book in the Star Wars series, so I will read any Star Wars novel, but this one will appeal to both Star Wars fans and newcomers to the amazing world of the Star Wars novels. This is the first book I have read by R.A. Salvatore and he really knows how to put a story together. I really enjoyed his work. I believe this book will be a milestone in the whole series. Read it to see why. I HIGHLY recomend this book. (Be prepared for a BIG shocker!)
Rating: Summary: Ballantine's Timothy Zahn! Review: I read this book and all I can say is: WOW! I haven't read a Star Wars novel this well written and well organized since Timothy Zahn's Thrawn Trilogy and Hand of Thrawn Duology. R.A. Salvatore receives a well deserved round of applause for this latest work. The fast paced, action packed battle scenes are realistic to the point where I can hear John Williams's score of incredible music. This is truly a worthy successor to the original space opera. Mr. Salvatore is able to incorporate Greek and Roman myths into the story in a similar fashion to the way George Lucas incorporated them into his original trilogy. I can only hope that Mr. Salvatore can be convinced to write a few more. (though not to the point where he is type cast as a Star Wars novelist!)
Rating: Summary: A must read for any true fan of the original trilogy Review: The book was an incredible read. It became one of those books you literaly can't put down as I read it in one day. The new enemy is very well thought out along with the technology they use. Without giving away any of the plot, something that was bound to happen finally does, which makes this book a must read.
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